Show the whole area you want to change
Stand far enough back to include the edges of the surface. For a driveway, that means the boundary, the approach to the house and any visible covers. For a floor, include the skirting, thresholds and a good section of the room. For a roof, choose a viewpoint where the relevant slopes are visible.
A photograph of one small corner gives the AI less context. An extremely wide shot where the target is tiny has the opposite problem. Aim for a view where the work area is clear and the setting still makes sense.
Keep the light and perspective natural
Use a sharp, well-lit photograph with ordinary colour settings. Avoid heavy filters, portrait-mode blur and stretched panoramas. Strong sun and deep shadows can hide surface details, while a dim interior photo can make colour comparisons less useful.
You do not need to wait for perfect weather. You just need enough visible detail to judge the before and after fairly.
Remove the things that hide the surface
Where practical, move a car off the driveway or small loose items off the floor. Leave the permanent surroundings in the picture. Furniture, brickwork and planting help you judge whether a proposed finish suits the space.
Do not upload photographs with people, visible private documents or other sensitive details if they are unnecessary for the preview. Make sure you have permission to use a customer’s photograph.
Ask for one clear change
A focused request is easier to review. Start with the catalogue option for the work you want, then add a short note if there is something specific to explain. For example: “Use the selected finish on the driveway only. Keep the existing drain cover visible.”
Avoid piling several unrelated transformations into one instruction. Compare separate concepts from the same original photograph when you want to explore different options.
Compare the result carefully
Use the result slider to inspect boundaries, rooflines, windows, furniture and other details that should have stayed unchanged. Then look at the requested finish. AI can miss small features or reinterpret scale even when the overall image looks convincing.
Download the preview if it is useful, and label it as an AI concept when sharing it. Use physical samples and proper measurements to make the final decision.